Crystal Clear I

I decided to ink in this drawing (see post on 21 April 2013) of the tidal pool in front of our beach house that we stay in when at the CoCo View Resort on Roatan in the Bay Islands of Honduras.















The tide was just starting to come in and it wouldn't be long before the large rocks would be buried beneath the water, with only a slight ripple to mark their presence.

I enjoyed carefully wading through the tidal pool after may last dive of the day as there was a treasure trove of sea creatures to be found.















Usually a couple of Queen Conchs, various different kinds of crabs, a multitude of snails and a number of different types of small fish.

This original 9" x 12" pen and ink drawing will be available matted and shrink wrapped for $50.00.

ACEO - Evening Lighthouse 1

I wanted to finish this painting that I had started last year (see posts on 18 April and 24 May 2016 and 10 February and 28 April 2017).

I started with a pale orange of new gamboge and alizarin crimson and washed into the foreground water and then a little burnt sienna was added to the mix and the colour was put in just below the horizon line.

Pure new gamboge was put into the water from below the dark orange to just below the rocky shore.

Using various mixtures of French ultramarine blue, burnt sienna and alizarin crimson the rocks and shoreline below the lighthouse was stippled in to create texture; the crashing surf was created by leaving ragged areas of white paper at the base rocks.

By mixing a pale blue grey with French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna the shadows within the surf against the rocks was indicated.















With a darker mix of the pale grey slightly more to the blue range the darker part of the waves were painted in between the water reflecting the sky colors.

Lastly I painted in the distant land on the horizon line with a darker mix of the wave colour.

If you would like more information about ACEO please go to my post on 11 March 2010.

The ACEO shown here is an original watercolour painting using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint on 300lb. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper. It is priced at $20.00 and sold unframed.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and enjoy the artwork. I hope you will return often.

Barn VIII

I am looking forward to this afternoon as I will be able to go outside and enjoy sitting in the sun for the second time to since breaking my leg. With the temperature going up to 79F (26C)and the humidity making it feel like 86F(30C) and having a thunderstorm this evening, makes it a triple bonus day.

In the meantime I pulled out this drawing of a horse barn on Highway 134 that offered both hay and sleigh rides.

I started with the barn and added the tin roof, fascia boards and set the wall where the drive shed joined the side of the barn.

Next I added the barn doors, the windows, the concrete base and the barn board.













Then I started on the drive shed adding the tin roof, the doorway and the barn board.

I added the runners to the sleigh, built up the box and finished the sides.

Lastly, I put in the background, beginning with the horizon line, adding a tree behind the barn, the fence line and grasses and growies along the fence and around the barn and in the pasture.

This original 5-1/4" x 9” graphite pencil drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $40.00.

Poster for the Sunset Island Class at The Point

I just had the poster made for the class I am teaching at The Point - the Young's Point Diner and Pizzeria, at 403 South Beach Rd., Lakefield, Ontario on the 31 May 17.

If you are interested in taking this class, please contact Janice Costa at The Point.

Old Oak I

Today I wanted to finish this pen and in drawing that I started a number of years ago (see posts on 22 February 2013 and 25 January 2017).

The first thing I did was to remove the building. I wanted the background to be uncluttered and I felt the house made it look too busy.

I indicated the distant hills in the background and put in various layers of trees adding more details to the closer ones.














Next, I put in some more fence posts into the middle ground.

This was followed by various grasses and growies at the base of the posts and into the field.

Into the foreground I added grasses growing around the base of the oak tree and some clumps of grasses at the base of the front posts.

Lastly, I added the barb wire to the fence posts.

This original, 6-1/2" x 9" pen and ink drawing will be available after it is matted and shrink wrapped for $60.00.

Pinto News Illustration April 1981

While sorting through some files I came across a copy of the Pinto News for April 1981, which features on the cover the logo I designed for them (see post on 24 November 2015).

This horse is of my second horse "CoCo" who had three different brands on her. All of them were on her left side.

The first was an N on her cheek and no hair covered it at all just the dark coloured flesh. 

The second was a backwards E and a normal N on her shoulder. 

The last one on her flank was a double LL over a lazy L below it, which was like the first one with no hair over it, just the dark coloured flesh showing.

I felt bad that she went through so much pain, as she was the kindest, gentlest and most caring of all the horses I have owned over the years.

Tied Up 4

Today as I was waiting for Christine to come and take me to my physiotherapy session I saw a couple of seagulls flying.

I thought that I would do a little drawing of a small boat tied up with its reflection in the still water of a tidal pool.

It seemed fitting that I would fill an area of the sky with a large group of seagulls.

At a later date I may develop this drawing into a painting.

Soft Reflections I

Today I started working on this sketch that was originally called Long Lake IX (see post on 14 September 2013).

It was one of the many sketches I do while out in the canoe on the various lakes in the area.














It was on an island where a number of the tall old pine trees had died off, but there were a few trees still clinging to life in the poor soil.

This original 5" x 9” pen and ink drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $50.00.

ACEO - Tied Up 2

I wanted to finish this painting that I had started a number of years ago (see posts on 22 June 2013 and 09 January 2017).

Starting with the boats, I wanted to give them each different coloured gunnels, the large sailboat I painted with alizarin crimson, the right side one I used Antwerp blue and the centre boat I added a little raw sienna to the blue and painted the gunnel green.

Mixing a dark of burnt sienna with a little bit of French ultramarine blue, I put in the mast on the sailboat, the ties on the boats and some of the islands on the horizon line as well as the dark areas of the waves just below the horizon line and in the foreground.















With a pale wash of aureolin and raw sienna I painted the hulls of the boats, leaving a few areas white.

Using cadmium red I put in the mooring buoys to the end of the mooring ties.

Lastly I added a little bit of seaweed on the beach using a mixture of French ultramarine blue and raw sienna.

If you would like more information about ACEO please go to my post on 11 March 2010.

The ACEO shown here is an original watercolour painting using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint on 140lb. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper. It is priced at $20.00 and sold unframed.

Thank you for coming to look at my artwork.

On the Lawn - Revisited

I pulled this drawing out as I felt there was no strong contrast in each of the elements, so I started by darkening some of the areas of the flag first.

Next I darkened the rock in behind barrel, on the barrel I darkened down some  of the barrel staves and hoops.














Lastly, I darkened the shadows on the wooden deer.

This original 6" x 9” pen and ink drawing when framed will be available for $150.00.

Waiting I

I saw the surgeon today and the good news is that I am allowed to put half weight on my leg, but the down side is I am still not allowed to go up or down stairs and I am not allowed to drive for at least the next 6 weeks.

When I returned home I thought I would work on this drawing of Eagle Beach in Aruba (see post on 12 November 2016).

I put in the boats first and then added the waves washing up on the beach and in the water.








Lastly, I put in the horizon line, the distant shoal and the clouds.

I can see in the future developing this drawing into a wonderful painting depicting the bold and beautiful colours of the Caribbean.

This original 9" x 12” pen and ink drawing when matte and shrink wrapped will be available for $50.00.

Evening on the Lake

Today it has been raining most of the morning and just after lunch we had a thunderstorm which knocked the power out. Since nothing that needs electricity to operate is working I thought I would work on this painting that I had started a couple of years ago (see posts on 29 August and 08 December 2015, 08 February and 03 May 2016).

I started working on the sails first using washes of Antwerp blue and French ultramarine blue until I was pleased with the shadows.

Using a darker mix of the blues I added the numbers onto the sail as well as the markings.

I added more Antwerp blue to the mixture and painted the base of the yacht. Darkening some areas as needed to give it shape.

To the blue mix I added burnt sienna and alizarin crimson and added the wind indicators to the top of the mast.

Lightening and darkening the mixture as needed I added the numbers on the hull, the shadows in the window and doorway of the cabin and painted the motor onto the stern.

Lastly, I painted in the people using various mixtures of burnt sienna, raw sienna, alizarin crimson and Antwerp blue.

This original 5-1/2" x 7-1/2" watercolour painting when framed will be available for $145.00.

Horse Sketches XIV

Today I saw that my North American Kestrels have returned to nest again in the birdhouse under the eaves. It is nice to see them and I will enjoy watching them as they raise their family.

I pulled out this sketch of some horse heads that I started while I was in hospital with my broken femur (see post on 14 February 2017).

I started on the first horse and added more details until I was reasonably happy with the way it looked.

Next, I worked on the second one and decided that to make it an Appaloosa.

I stopped when Christine came over and joined me for lunch before she headed down to do the barn chores for me and feed my cats.

Before she left, she returned to see that I had everything I wanted for the rest of the day.

I wanted to continue drawing and a movie came on television about a horse ranch and I did a few more sketches of horse heads.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and look at the artwork. I hope you will return often.

Barn I

My little North American Kestrels have returned. It is nice to hear then calling to each other and occasionally seeing them fly.

This is another sketch that I did a few years ago (see post on 25 September 2013) and thought I would work it up into a finished drawing.

I added the tin on the barn roofs and put a few lightning rods onto some of the roofs. Next I added the rest of the front facing of the far right barn.

I fixed up some of the doors and windows, as well as putting more detail on the barn boards.














I added and fixed up some of the doors and windows, and put more detail on the barn boards.

I decided to leave out the branch and leaves, coming in from the right side.

I know that if I want to turn this drawing into an interesting painting I will have to extend the left barn and perhaps include a few dairy cows into the barnyard.

This original 6" x 9” pencil drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $40.00.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and enjoy the artwork.

Buildings I

Yes it is snowing! Overnight we received 2" (5.1cm) of heavy packing snow with the temperature in the morning being 30F (-1C) and the wind chill making it feel like 28F (-2C).

For the rest of the day we are going to have mixed precipitation of rain and snow. We will see how much of this white stuff will remain on the ground.

I thought I would work on this drawing today, that I had started a number of years ago (see post on 14 August 2013).

First I worked on the buildings, adding shingles, tiles or metal onto the roofs; as well as a couple of chimneys onto the main building.










Next put on the boards and siding on the various buildings, followed by the windows and doors.

Then it was time to start putting in the background trees and bushes behind the buildings and adding a little smoke coming out from one of the chimneys on the main building.

I put in the horizon line on the lake; and then on the shoreline I added in some grasses and growies on the bank and water ripples below and into the lake.

This original 4-1/4" x 9” pen and ink drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $40.00.

Barn IX

I wanted finish a drawing today, so I pulled out this piece that I had worked on last year (see posts on 28 September 2013 and 15 May 2016).

First I put on the roof line and tin on the barn and then I put on the barn board.














Next I put in the horizon line and added some trees and a fence line in the distance.

Lastly, I added the round hay bales inside the barn and some long grasses around the entrance.

This original 5-1/2" x 9” original graphite pencil drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $40.00.

Big Cedar Lake VI

I just returned from physiotherapy and have gotten a few more exercises to do in order to get full range back in my knee, now that the hinge has been completely opened.

I thought I would complete this drawing that I had been working on last month (see posts on 23 August 2016 and 03 January 2017).

Starting with the second half of the background and using vertical strokes I continued with the distant trees, putting in an occasional pine with a little definition.














Next I put the rocks along the shoreline and a couple into the water and added the shading.

I put in the largest pine trees behind the rocks and then added growies and small bushes between the rocks and the base of the pines.

Lastly, I added the waterline and water ripples at the base of the rocks and against the shoreline

This original 5-1/2" x 9” pen and ink drawing when matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $40.00.

Buckhorn Artists' Group Blog - Show Updates

I have updated the Buckhorn Artists' Group blog with a listing of shows some of the various artists in the Group are exhibiting their work in during the month of April.

If you get a chance come out and visit them at one or all of the shows.

ACEO - Moonlight 1

I wanted to finish this painting that I had started last year (see posts on 20 June 2016 and 12 January 2017).

Using various mixtures of raw sienna, French ultramarine blue and Antwerp blue I painted in the pine trees.

With a wash of French ultramarine blue I put in the shadowed snow, leaving areas of white lit by the full moon in the sky.

The house and the barns were painted in with greys made of burnt sienna and French ultramarine blue.















To complete the buildings I painted in the windows on the house and the light on the side of the barn with cadmium yellow.

Lastly I put in the grasses and growies with mixes of raw sienna and burnt sienna.

If you would like more information about ACEO please go to my post on 11 March 2010.

The ACEO shown here is an original watercolour painting using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint on 300lb. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper. It is priced at $20.00 and sold unframed.

Confirmed Shows for 2017 - April

This is a listing of confirmed shows that I will be exhibiting my artwork at this year and into next year. I will update the list as more shows are added.

Kawartha Arts Network - Art on Kent, Lindsay, Ont.
KAN
27 Oct 16 - 29 Apr 17 Wall of Small
Opening Reception 29 Oct 16 from 1-3p.m.
11 May - 03 Jun 17 Annual Members' Show
Opening Reception 13 May 17 from 1-3p.m.
08 Jun - 08 Jul 17 What's Your Canada?
Opening Reception 10 Jun 17 from 1-3p.m.
13-29 Jul 17 Diversity
Opening Reception 15 Jul 17 from 1-3p.m.
03-26 Aug 17 Open for Interpretation
Opening Reception 05 Aug 17 from 1-3p.m.
31 Aug -23 Sep 17 Holy Cow - It's a Moonet!
Opening Reception 02 Oct 17 from 1-3p.m.
28 Sep - 21 Oct 17 Featured Artist in Members' Room
28 Sep - 21 Oct 17 What's My Issue?
Opening Reception 30 Sep 17 from 1-3p.m.
26 Oct - 23 Dec 17 and 04-13 Jan 18 Affordableism
Opening Reception 28 Oct 17 from 1-3p.m.

Roland's Steak House , 845 Highway 7 East, Peterborough, Ont.
27 Feb 17 - 10 Apr Jun 17

The Douro-Dummer Library Art Gallery, 425 Douro Fourth Line Road, Hamlet of Douro, Ont.
28 Feb - 30 Apr 17 Countryside Art Group
Opening Reception 03 Mar 17 from 7-8p.m.

Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio, Peterborough, Ont.
KAGS
29 Mar - 04 May 17 Spark Photography Show
Opening Reception 02 Apr 17 from 1-4p.m.
21 Jun -09 Jul 17 Sunlight and Shadow
Opening Reception 25 Jun 17 from 1-4p.m.
16 Aug - 10 Sep 17 Faces and Figures
Opening Reception 20 Aug 17 from 1-4p.m.
13 Sep - 08 Oct 17 150 Years of Canada's History Featuring Peterborough County
Opening Reception 17 Sep 17 from 1-4p.m.
25 Oct -12 Nov Outdoor Painters' Show- Rural Outlook
Opening Reception 30 Oct 17 from 1-4p.m.
29 Nov - 22 Dec 17 and 03-14 Jan 18 The Winter Show
Opening Reception 03 Dec 17 from 1-4p.m.

17th Annual Peterborough Garden Show, The Evinrude Centre, 911 Monaghan Road, Peterborough Ont.
07-09 Apr 17

27th Annual Shades of Summer Art Show, St Matthews Church, Buckhorn, Ont.
17-20 Aug 17 Buckhorn Artists' Group

28th Annual Kawartha Arts Festival, Fenelon Falls Fair Grounds, Fenelon Falls, Ont.
02-03 Sep 17

Extendicare, 860 Alexander Court, Peterborough, Ont.
06 Nov 17 - 01 Jan 18

Please come out and enjoy the artwork displayed at these shows.